Groups seek Proposition 40 funds

Each of Calaveras County's five supervisorial districts will get $240,000 in state funding for parks and recreation projects.

That's what supervisors agreed upon yesterday, after a study session with members from a handful of community organizations.

The state funding would come from Proposition 40  the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Bond Act  which was passed in 2002.

Proposition 40 funds must be used to develop, restore or purchase parks, recreational or historical resources. They can also be used for environmental conservation programs.

The state has set aside $1.2 million for Calaveras County projects.

Supervisors must apply for the funding on a project-by-project basis. The county has three years to claim its share of the money.

"As supervisors, we can work together if we see something that's mutually beneficial to our districts," Supervisor Victoria Erickson said.

At a later meeting, supervisors will vote to split the funding up evenly between their districts. They will also set up an application process for groups that want some of the funding.

At yesterday's study session, community group representatives briefly explained their projects:

 The Feeney Park Foundation asked for funding to complete work at Feeney Park in Murphys. Among other things, the park's restrooms must be brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 The Mark Twain Union Elementary School District asked for $180,000 to help build a new gym at its Angels Camp campus. With that allotment, the district would be eligible to receive an extra $1.5 million from the state, District Superintendent Rick Brewer said.

Brewer said the current gym is too small to accommodate even the school's own sports programs.

District officials will be at tomorrow's Angels Camp City Council meeting to discuss their project proposal. Angels Camp is set to receive $240,000 in Proposition 40 funds.